[SN: Passport given to a Swedish ship.]
Grave Eric desired Whitelocke to give a passport to a Swedish ship bound
from Stockholm to Portugal. The Chancellor requested the same, and both
father and son engaged to Whitelocke that there was nothing aboard the
vessel, nor any design in her voyage, against England; that she was
freighted for Portugal only, and that they should esteem the favour as
done to themselves, because they had a share in the goods on board this
ship. Whitelocke, though he were hardly persuaded to give his passports
to Swedish ships or to any other, yet considering the time when this was
desired, and the persons desiring it, he thought not fit to deny it, but
gave it in this form.[130]
Whitelocke gave an account in his letters this day to Thurloe of all
passages of moment since his last, and wrote further:--
[SN: Letters to Thurloe.]
"My letters, I confess, have been tedious heretofore, but I ask your
pardon, and do hope that my business is now at such a period that I
shall not have occasion to trouble you with the like.
"There is little to do here at this time; almost all the great lords
and courtiers are gone out of town, so that here is a lamentable
silent place. I shall be heartily glad to receive my Lord's order to
authorize my return; but my business being now ended, I presume I
may expect his pleasure at any other place. I purpose to visit the
Queen-mother and the Prince of Sweden, because other ambassadors
have done it, and I have been particularly invited to it. I think it
will be a respect from my Lord Protector which they will take very
kindly, and may be some strength to the alliance, and is not the
less requisite for me, because our enemies report that none but
mechanics are of our party; but since our being here the Swedes
acknowledge the contrary.
"I hope within two or three weeks to be at sea, and that my God, who
hath hitherto been so good to me, will give me a safe return to my
Lord and to my native country, to whom I wish all prosperity.
"Your affectionate friend to serve you,
"B. W.
"_Upsal, 14th April, 1654._
"I hope you will pardon the importunity of my wife's solicitation,
being for my return. I have been informed this week that some
Holland ships are loading here with ordnance and other provisions of
war. I hope his Highness hath been pleased to give order for two or
three ships to be at Hamburg for my transportation into England, and
therein I entreat your favour.
"B. W."
In this letter Whitelocke also gave advice, what he had been informed
touching the treaty between King James and the last King of Denmark
concerning the Orcades, with his humble opinion what was fit to be done
in that business, upon the comprehension of the Dane in the Dutch treaty,
yet nothing was done therein; however, Whitelocke was satisfied in the
acquittal of himself to have done his duty.
Upon the earnest request of some Scots and English gentlemen on the
behalf of Colonel Halsall, now in this town, Whitelocke gave him this
pass.[131]
_April 15, 1654._
[SN: Excursion with the French Resident.]
The Resident of France having desired Whitelocke that when he went abroad
to take the air he would give him leave to accompany him, Whitelocke sent
to him, this fair day inviting and leisure not hindering it. They went
together in Whitelocke's coach to a wood, about an English mile from
Upsal, full of pines, fir-trees, and juniper, and very fair and pleasant
walks in it. The beauty of the day and place had also invited thither at
this time the Ambassador of Denmark and the Holland Resident, who,
perceiving Whitelocke's coaches and company, crossed out of the way where
they were, and betook themselves to another walk; but Whitelocke kept on
in his, and with the French Resident had much general discourse, but
little of matters of state, because they could not trust one the other;
yet Whitelocke learnt from him the condition of several persons in
principal credit in the Court of France, and the way of their management
of affairs. This gentleman was very civil and courteous and good company,
desiring the conversation of Whitelocke, which he afforded him both going
abroad and in his house, to which the Resident did him the favour to be
no stranger.
Whitelocke told him he purposed to go by Nordköping, and by the way to
visit the Queen-mother and the Prince, and to have his ship meet him
there. The Resident said the ship could not easily come to Nordköping,
being no good harbour; but his best way would be to go from thence to
Calmar, and his ship to meet him there, the haven being open and the ship
may come near the town; and that Nordköping was the midway between
Stockholm and Calmar, and the ship might be as soon at Calmar as at
Nordköping; that the passage to Lübeck was much easier from Calmar than
from Nordköping, and with a good wind might be made from Calmar in two
days. But hereof Whitelocke intended to have the advice of some Swedes.
_April 16, 1654._
[SN: Great wealth of the Oxenstiern family.]
Monsieur Bloome this Lord's Day dined with Whitelocke, and told him that
the Chancellor had left him in town to keep Whitelocke company in the
absence of the Chancellor, and to assure him that the Chancellor would
return again in a very few days. Whitelocke made much of him, and had
good informations from him. He said that Grave John Oxenstiern, the
Chancellor's eldest son, had at that time, whilst his father was alive,
above £20,000 sterling of yearly revenue, which he had from his father
and by his wife, an inheritrix; and that Grave Eric, the second son, had
in his father's lifetime near £10,000 sterling of yearly revenue, besides
what both of them might expect from their father: and therefore both
father and sons might, as they did, live in great state and with
attendance of much port and ceremony.
Grave Leonhough bestowed a visit on Whitelocke. He is a senator and one
of the College of War, a person of great esteem and good parts; his
conversation was full of civility; his discourse (in French) was
rational, and for the most part upon matter of war, history, and the
mathematics. In his company was an officer, his brother-in-law, who had
served the King of Portugal in his late wars, and was a civil person, and
seemed a gallant man. This Grave had been long bred up in the wars, and
was now a Major-General; and his discourse showed him to be knowing and
modest. He demanded of Whitelocke many questions touching the affairs of
England, and particularly of the late civil dissensions there, and had a
full account thereof from Whitelocke, by which he seemed to receive much
satisfaction, and acknowledged that he had not heard the truth before,
and that this relation justified the proceedings of the Parliament. He
spake nothing to Whitelocke touching his business of the treaty, nor did
Whitelocke mention it to this Grave, whom he never saw before, and
because it was a day for other duties.
_April 17, 1654._
[SN: A serenade to Whitelocke.]
Upsal being very empty, by the absence of the Queen and all the great
Lords, who were retired to their country-houses, but most of them to
Stockholm, it was given out that her Majesty would not return to this
place, but remain at Stockholm, and that the General Assembly should be
held there; which was not believed by Whitelocke, because the Queen had
assured him that she would return to Upsal within eight or ten days, and
she never brake her word with him.
Her absence, and the leisure which they had thereby, gave opportunity to
some of her musicians (Italians and Germans) to pass a compliment on
Whitelocke, to come to his house, and with great ceremony to entertain
him with their vocal and instrumental music, which was excellent good;
and they played many lessons of English composition, which the gentlemen
who were musical of Whitelocke's family brought forth unto them.
_April 18, 1654._
[SN: The Swedish army.]
Whitelocke returned a visit to the Grave Leonhough, whose lodgings were
but mean, such as the town would afford, but his treatment was with great
civility. Amongst other discourse he inquired touching the discipline of
war and ordering the soldiery in England, who, he said, must be well
paid, or else they could not be kept in good order. Whitelocke
acknowledged that to be very true, and said that in England special care
was taken for the constant and due pay of the armies much beyond other
countries, by which means they were kept in the best and strictest
discipline of any armies in the world; that violence or plunder, contrary
to the articles of war, was severely punished.
The Grave acquainted Whitelocke that he was to go out of town the next
day to a general muster, about four leagues from hence, within the
province where he had the government; which occasioned Whitelocke to
inquire of him, and to be informed that this was the standing militia of
the country, and that the manner of it was thus:--
The whole militia of Sweden in the country, besides the standing forces
of their armies in service, doth consist of 50,000 horse and foot,
whereof 12,000 horse and 38,000 foot in the several provinces are
constantly in a readiness to be drawn forth in fourteen days' time. In
Sweden are about 5000 horse and 20,000 foot, and in Finland and the other
provinces about 8000 horse and 20,000 foot: in all, above 50,000. That
the Crown is not at any charge for the pay of these militia forces,
unless they are drawn forth into actual service, and then they are paid
as their other army forces are, which is not very much or constant; but
when they are in an enemy's country they live upon the country, and take
contribution, if not plunder; and somewhat is allowed them by the Crown,
as so much in money (which is a very small proportion) and such a weekly
quantity of bread, butter, and cheese for every foot-soldier, and a like
proportion for the horsemen; whose charge may be guessed at by that of
their officers, of whom it was affirmed that the allowance to a captain
of horse was his stove and his stable, and twenty rix-dollars a year. His
stove they call his fire, candle, and entertainment for himself; his
stable, that is horse-meat, and room, and shoeing; and for himself from
the Crown (besides what he gets from the country) but twenty rix-dollars
a year, with the like proportion for other officers and soldiers.
The manner of maintaining their militia forces in the country was said to
be this:--A horseman was quartered in the house of a boor, or husbandman;
if the man will work himself and his horse with the boor, to help him in
his husbandry, then the boor gives the man and his horse entertainment
freely, and hath their work for it, which is more worth than their meat,
and the boor will give the man perhaps some small sum of money besides.
By this way the boor hath an advantage--the work of a man and a horse for
their meat only; and the horseman hath an advantage--his own and his
horse's meat, besides what the Crown allows him, and himself and horse
kept in better condition by it; and without his work, the boor is not
compellable to find him but his lodging only.
In like manner it is for the foot-soldier. He is quartered with a boor,
and must work for the boor, or have no diet from him; but they do work
generally, and by that means the soldier is kept out of idleness. The
countryman hath a benefit by his work for his diet only, whereas he must
give diet and wages to a servant; and the soldier by his work hath his
diet besides what the State allows him, and so he and his landlord are
both well pleased. But the Crown hath the greatest advantage, which
hereby saves the great pay which otherwise they must allow; and yet these
forces are constantly in a readiness when the occasions of the Crown
require their service.
The officers of these militia forces have no pay at all but when they are
in actual service, neither do they expect any pay, being gentlemen of
quality and interest in the country: the chief of whom, who are fit for
it, are made colonels; the next to them lieutenant-colonels, majors,
captains, and inferior officers, according to their rank of the country
gentlemen, known and beloved among their neighbours, with whom their
interest and power, increased by their command, makes them the better
followed and obeyed. When they write out any from the militia to serve in
the armies, these officers and the lords of the boors appoint them; and
if any offend, they are presently written out to send abroad into Russia,
Poland, Germany, and other parts, from whence they do not all return
safe, but are kept in great awe and obedience.
This day here fell a great quantity of snow, and was in one night so hard
frozen that it would bear a cart; the English wondered at it, but not
this country men, the like being here usual at this time of the year and
after.
The Countess of Brahe, wife of the Ricks-Droitset, sent a gentleman to
Whitelocke to acquaint him that there was a parcel of timber, cut and
lying ready within four miles of Gothenburg, which did belong to her
former husband, and was cut for the building of a ship; but by reason of
her husband's death the ship was not built, and she offered the timber to
Whitelocke at a reasonable price. But he, finding that it had been cut
four years, and lay far from the water-side, made an excuse that it would
be necessary to have it viewed, which his hastening away would not now
permit; but he returned thanks to the Countess for her respects in the
offer of it.
_April 19, 1654._
[SN: Preparations for the abdication.]
Monsieur Bloome and divers others, having dined with Whitelocke,
acquainted him that the Chancellor intended to return hither the next day
after the Queen. Whitelocke said he hoped the Chancellor would have been
here before her Majesty; but this was an argument to confute the report
that the Queen would stay at Stockholm and hold the Ricksdag there.
Another argument was, the Queen's officers removing and altering some of
the hangings in Whitelocke's house, being longer and fitter for the rooms
to be furnished in the castle for the Ricksdag than those which they put
up in their places in Whitelocke's lodging.
_April 20, 1654._
[SN: Swedish mines.]
In pursuance of former discourse with Monsieur Bloome, and by the desire
of Mr. Bushel in England to Whitelocke to inquire into it, he received a
paper in French, from a person here employed about the mines, to inform
him by what means this person might be treated with to be brought into
England for improving of our mines there.
[SN: Hawks.]
Whitelocke also, by desire of a worthy friend in England, furnished
himself with a direction how he might procure some hawks out of this
country, and chiefly from the isle of Deulandt, where the best hawks are;
and he had gained much acquaintance with Grave Gabriel Oxenstiern, Great
Falconer and Master of the Queen's Hawks, who promised his furtherance of
Whitelocke's desires herein, and to assist and direct any servant whom he
should send hither for that purpose.
[SN: Mrs. Penn.]
One Catharine Penn, an Englishwoman, the widow of an officer of the
Queen's army, entreated Whitelocke to present for her a sad petition to
the Queen for some arrears due to her husband, which matters Whitelocke
was not forward to meddle with; but this being his countrywoman, and of
the ancient family of Penn in Buckinghamshire, to which he had an
alliance, Whitelocke did undertake to present her petition to the Queen.
He undertook the like for a decayed English merchant residing at Hamburg,
who petitioned the Queen for moneys owing to him at Bremen, where he
could have no justice from the Governor, Vice-Chancellor, and others in
authority; and this he undertook to move to the Queen, upon the earnest
request of Mr. Bradshaw, Resident for the Protector at Hamburg, by his
letters this day received.
He was also presented with a Latin epistle from one Jonas Olaii, begging
for some charity, and who, to be sure to go high enough, gave throughout
his letter the style of "illustrissime Comes and Celsitudo tua," for
which his gift from Whitelocke was the less.
[SN: Trade with Muscovy.]
In this day's packet Whitelocke received letters from the Muscovia
Company in England, signed by the Governor and Consuls, in which they set
forth the decay and loss of their trade in Muscovia by supplantation of
the Dutch, and the Great Duke's disfavour to them, which they hope may be
altered upon the late change of government in England; that they
understand there is now in this Court an Ambassador from the Great Duke
to the Queen; and they desire Whitelocke, that if this ambassador do
visit him, or if he think fit to visit the Russian Ambassador, that he
would intimate this matter to him, which they hope may much further their
purpose of sending to the Great Duke for recovery of their trade.
By this post Whitelocke received these letters from the Secretary
Thurloe:--
[SN: Despatch from Thurloe.]
"_For his Excellence my Lord Ambassador Whitelocke, at Upsal, in
Sweden. These._
"My Lord,
"Your letters of the 24th of February arrived here five or six days
later than usual, and this day's post is not yet arrived. The peace
with the Dutch hath been in such an uncertain condition, that it was
very hard to make a judgement concerning the issue of it. In the end
of the last and beginning of this week it was more probable that the
war should continue than otherwise; and your Excellence will see by
the enclosed papers, which passed between the Commissioners of his
Highness and the Ambassadors (which I have sent to you because there
is contained in them the true state of the treaty as it stood whilst
the differences lasted); the last of those papers will let your
Excellence see that they are now very near a closure; and the truth
is, that there is now nothing wanting but the drawing up of things
into form, and the signing on both sides, which I believe will be
effected within three or four days at furthest. But because we
cannot rely upon the peace as made until it be actually signed, his
Highness will defer the sending instructions to you in reference
either to your present negotiation or returning home until the next,
when your Excellence may certainly except them; and in the meantime
your Excellence may rest assured that there hath been no other cause
in delaying instructions to you upon this subject but the desire
that there is in everybody to give you clear directions in so
doubtful a case as this. If your staying or returning did depend
upon your own negotiation there, it were easy to leave you to your
own guidance; but when it rests merely upon the conclusion of the
present treaty here with the Dutch, it is not possible to give you
any instructions which you may with safety act upon until the issue
thereof be perfectly known; and after that, your Excellence shall
not be an hour without the knowledge of his Highness's pleasure
thereupon.
"It is certain this State hath moved upon Christian grounds only in
making this peace: we have not been beaten or frightened into it;
the Dutch have not yet any fleet at sea, nor can have this month, if
the war should continue. In the meantime we have a hundred and forty
sail at sea, and better ships than we have had at any time
heretofore, which gives occasion to all our neighbours to wonder at
our intentions thereby.
"Since I began my letter I have been with the Dutch Ambassador, and
every article is agreed word for word, so that nothing now remains
to be done but to write them over and sign, which will be done upon
Monday next. It is not possible for me to send unto your Excellence
a copy of the articles as they are now agreed; I hope to do it by
the next, when you will be satisfied concerning the reports I hear
there are in Sweden, concerning the honourable terms the Dutch have
gotten by this treaty. I know not what men may expect in matters of
honour; I am sure the true interest of the nation, both in point of
trade and otherwise, is provided for more fully than ever hath been
in any treaty made between these States.
"The French Ambassador had a public audience on Monday last. There
is joined with him in commission one Monsieur le Baas, in quality of
a Commissary, who is a great confidant of the Cardinal's, and a very
crafty man. The French doth certainly intend by all means to make a
league with his Highness, and offers very frankly and considerably
as to our present interest. The Spaniard thinks he saith more to
invite the Protector to look that way and embrace an alliance with
him; and sure he is the steadier friend, and hath the better and
more considerable trade.[142]
"The news I have either from France or Holland this week your
Excellence will receive enclosed. The affairs in Scotland do not
much alter: Middleton is very active to get an army, but keeps in
the most northerly parts. We never met with any of their forces but
we beat them--the last letters being that we fell upon a party and
took forty prisoners and sixty horse, which is all we have from
thence.
"I have done my utmost to get the Swedish ships released; but to say
the truth, although some of the Swedes are innocent, yet many of
them appear to be deceivers, which makes the rest fare the worse. I
endeavoured to get a resolution of the case your Excellence wrote
about by your former letters, so as to have sent it by this post,
but could not; the orders which have been made about it since my
last I have sent, whereof your Excellence may see the care that is
had to do justice therein.
"What your Excellence is informed concerning the preferring of the
Agent of the Swiss to Lagerfeldt in their farewell, is a great
mistake. I know no honour done to him at his going away, but the
sending the answer of his letter to him by the master of the
ceremony; he had neither gift nor entertainment that I know of.
"I hope the copy of the articles of the Dutch treaty, which I
formerly sent, your Excellence hath received before now. I am sorry
to hear that your entertainment in Sweden begins to be like my Lord
St. John's in Holland; but I trust the Lord will continue his
protection to yourself and family, which is the prayer of
"Your Excellence's humble servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_March 31, 1654._
"Monsieur Bonnele, the Queen of Sweden's Commissary, hath desired
audience to deliver a letter congratulatory to his Highness from the
Queen. The superscription is not very right; besides, your
Excellency having writ nothing about it, some difficulty hath been
in the delivery of it; but yet at last resolved to receive it as it
is."
This letter is inserted to show by it the constant way and course of
intelligence, and the generality and clearness of it, between Thurloe
and Whitelocke, whereby his business and reputation in this Court was
very much advanced, and Whitelocke made great use and advantage by it.
The papers usually enclosed in Thurloe's letters were many, and contained
all particulars of moment touching the Dutch treaty, as also relating to
the affairs of England and of most parts of Christendom. One clause in
this letter of Thurloe's, that, after the Dutch treaty had concluded, his
Highness would send new instructions to Whitelocke, for his direction to
proceed in the treaty in Sweden,--this gave much trouble and perplexity
of thoughts to Whitelocke. He could not imagine what those new
instructions should be. If they should be contrary to what he had already
agreed, it would be not only to the dishonour of Whitelocke, but of the
Protector likewise and of the English nation, for him to go back from
what he had before assented to, and to go out here with a snuff,
retracting his former agreement, or else he must proceed contrary to his
instructions, which would not be ratified; and both of these mischiefs
great enough. He was in suspense whether he should seal the articles here
beforehand, or expect the receipt of these instructions before he signed
them. He considered that if he should defer the signing of the articles
till after the receipt of those new instructions, that then they could
not at all be signed by the present Queen, who intended to continue but
one week in the government, and if she did not sign in that time she
could not sign at all; but the whole must be remitted to a new treaty
with the new King, upon new credentials, commission, and instructions,
which would require much time and trouble.
He thought not fit to communicate his doubts, but resolved with himself
to proceed to the finishing of the treaty without staying for new
instructions from England, because otherwise all his negotiation would
become fruitless; and he held himself obliged, in honour and conscience,
to make good what he had already assented unto before any mention of new
instructions came to him, and what he had done being pursuant to his
former instructions, and in his judgement for the advantage and good of
England.
He was also willing to persuade himself that the new instructions would
extend only to the order of his return, and was so to be taken by
Thurloe's letter, and to the close of his whole negotiation; wherein he
had done nothing, and resolved not to do anything, but what he believed
to be just and honest. He was also troubled lest the Queen should put off
the treaty upon some distaste about the secret article, and yet pretend
only the absence of her Chancellor; but Whitelocke left all to the
providence of God, and His blessing upon honest and diligent means,
wherein he resolved not willingly to be wanting. And whether to put it
off or to proceed to the despatch of it seemed the more difficult,
because of a letter from his wife, wherein she wrote that Thurloe said to
her, that it was fit her husband should receive certain instructions what
to do before his coming away, because, if he should do anything too
suddenly, without good warrant, it might cost him his life. This indeed
were a worthy and meet recompense for all the hardships, perils, and
faithful services undergone and performed for those who were then in
power; but his hope and expectation of reward was from above the highest
of them.
_April 21, 1654._
[SN: Despatches to Thurloe.]
Whitelocke made his despatches for England, and part of his letters to
Thurloe was this:--
"The Queen and Court being out of town, this is a solitary place.
The Danish Ambassador and the Dutch Resident are still here. The
Spanish, German, and Muscovite Envoys are gone away. My business
remains in a readiness to be signed, which is appointed upon the
Queen's return; and she is looked for every day. If they be not
signed within these few days, it cannot be done by her at all,
because she intends to resign the Government the beginning of May,
and perhaps the Prince may be crowned in June; and two or three
months after that will pass before new credentials can be sent from
his Highness, and it may be two or three months in ceremony and
despatch of the business, by which time another winter will be here.
"Upon which considerations I humbly conceive it much more for the
service of my Lord to despatch my business here out of hand, and the
rather because of the conclusion of the Dutch treaty, which I hope
will prove very prosperous to our nation.
"My articles had been signed before the Queen's going away but that
she was willing to communicate them to the Prince before her
Commissioners signed them, which I likewise thought very fit to be
done, in regard he is so near the succession; and I likewise intend
to salute him from my Lord Protector before my going out of this
country.
"I am now only in expectation of his Highness's further commands and
instructions concerning my return, which I hope for by the next
post.
"I give you most hearty thanks for the papers, which are not only a
comfort but very useful to me here. I received formerly from you a
copy of the Dutch articles, and if I did not return you thanks for
them, I confess I forgot myself, and likewise if in one of my
letters I did not acquaint you that the Queen had an intention (as
she told me) of sending a congratulatory letter to my Lord the
Protector; but how the direction of it was I know not, because I
never saw it; but I take it as a particular favour to me, that his
Highness was pleased to receive it, though it were not as it ought
to have been, wherein he hath answered the respect of the Queen, who
excepted against my credentials, but yet received them.
"I am exceeding glad of your good conclusion of the Dutch business,
which, I am persuaded, will be of great advantage to our nation; and
I look upon the issue of my business here being agreed before the
issue of our treaty with the Dutch was known, to be both a
particular respect to the Protector and Government, and less
difficult than it would have been if transacted after our agreement
with the Dutch.
"They are much amused in these parts at our gallant fleet, and so
early at sea; and I permit them all their conjectures, neither have
they gained much allay of them from me by their inquisitiveness.
"I had a compliment sent me the last night from the Dutch Resident,
that he hoped ere long to have an opportunity to come and visit me;
I answered, that I should not be wanting in that civility which
became me.
"I was entreated by the citizens of Stockholm to receive this suit
of theirs in the enclosed paper.
"B. W.
"_April 21, 1654. Upsal._"
_April 22, 1654._
[SN: University Library at Upsal.]
The French Resident visited Whitelocke, and, seeing him ready to go take
the air, offered him his company, which Whitelocke could not refuse. They
went together to the Library of this University, where there are many
good books, for the most part brought out of Germany; but it is not
extraordinary, nor exceeding the public libraries in England and
elsewhere. One of Whitelocke's gentlemen held it not exceeding his
lord's private library at his own house in England, as he affirmed to
some of the scholars here, who were not pleased therewith, nor would
easily believe that the English Ambassador's library in his private house
was to be compared to that of their University.
The keeper of this library is one Doctor Lovenius, there present, a
learned and civil person, who hath published several books in print,
touching the laws and government and antiquities of his country, in good
Latin; and both himself and his works are worthy of esteem. He was
attending upon Whitelocke all the time of his being in the library and in
the public places of the University, and informed him of such things as
he inquired touching the same; and, to gratify their civility, Whitelocke
sent them twenty of his own books which he had in his house, all of them
English authors, as the Primate of Armagh's works, Sir Henry Spelman,
Selden, and others; which was a present very acceptable, and kindly
received by the University from him.
[SN: University of Upsal.]
They affirm this University to be very ancient; but there are no colleges
or public houses for the maintenance of the scholars, or public revenue
belonging to them; so that they do not live together in bodies or
companies by themselves, but every one severally as he can agree or find
for his convenience. But here are divers public rooms or schools where
the professors and scholars use to meet and perform their exercises
openly; and the rooms of their library are three, about twenty foot
square apiece.
There are all sorts of professors for the arts and sciences, who are
promised good salaries, but they complain that they are not well paid;
and though some of them be very learned, yet they take not much pains; it
may be according to the proverb, "mal payé mal servi"--he that is ill
paid doth but ill service. Some counted the number of scholars to be
about three hundred, which is not more than may be found in one college
in England. They make great preparation by printing their theses and
publishing them, and inviting the grandees to their disputations, where
the Queen in person is sometimes present, though the exercise is only the
art of well disputing, except in some of their professors and eminent
persons.
Their University is a kind of corporation, like others, their want of
supplies not affording them so much perfection, and their defect of
government giving them liberty and temptation to disorder, to which they
are much addicted; but in their sermons, whilst the English were among
them, they would propose them as a pattern of civility and pious
conversation. Their government is by a Chancellor, who at present is the
Ricks-Chancellor; and it hath constantly been in the hands of some
eminent and great person.
[SN: Cathedral of Upsal.]
Whitelocke and the Resident visited the Cathedral Church, which is fair
and large, built with brick, and covered with copper. They affirm it to
be one of the most ancient churches of Europe, and that the Gospel was
here early planted, but earlier in the church of old Upsal, which is of a
quadrangular form, and formerly dedicated to their heathen gods. Their
cathedral, they say, was the seat of an arch-flamen; and in the places of
arch-flamens and flamens, upon their conversion to Christianity (as in
England, so here), bishops and archbishops were instituted; and now
their cathedral, as other churches, is full of images, crucifixes, and
such other furniture as the Lutheran churches tolerate, and is little
different therein from the Popish churches.
The Resident and Whitelocke took also a view of the castle and city of
Upsal. The castle is near the town, seated upon the point of a hill; it
is built of brick, plastered over, strong and beautiful. If it had been
finished, the design was to have had it four-square; but two sides of it
only are built. It had been very large and noble if it had been
perfected. As it is, it contains many rooms, and sufficient for the
Court; some of them are great and stately, but up two stories, after the
fashion of that country. If it had been finished, it would have equalled
any other, if not the castle of Stockholm itself.
[SN: Environs of Upsal.]
The prospect from the castle is very beautiful; the country round about
it pleasant and fruitful, and distinguished into meadows, pastures, and
arable fields, and the river Sale passing through them, which loseth
itself about half a league from thence into a great lake. The river is
navigable with boats of about twenty or thirty tons, many leagues
together, going through the lake also; it is not muddy, nor unfurnished
with the fish of those parts, and is about half as broad as the Thames at
Henley. It runs at the foot of the hill on which the castle stands, and
the town is built upon it; and it waters most part of the streets, to
their great commodity. It is for this reason called Upsal, because
Ubbo--who, they say, was the son of Gomer, the son of Japhet, the son of
Noah--this Ubbo built this town upon the river Sale, and therefore called
it, after his own name, Ubbo Sale, by contraction of speech now called
Upsal. All agree it to be one of the most ancient of their cities, the
metropolitan see of their archbishop, and in old time the residence of
their kings, and where they were invested with the regal dignity. The
country about it seemed one of the most pleasant and fruitful of these
parts. The town itself is not much beautified with stately buildings, not
above nine or ten houses being built with brick; the rest of them, after
the fashion of their country, built with great bodies of fir-trees, and
covered with turf; the fairest of their brick houses was that where the
English Ambassador lodged.
This city hath not much trade, and therefore not much wealth. The
government of it is according to the municipal law of the country, and as
other cities are; their head officer is a Burgomaster, who hath for his
assistants a council, in the nature of the common councils in our
corporations in England, consisting of the principal burgesses and
inhabitants of the city, who have power, with the Burgomaster, as to
making of ordinances, and in the government.
In their journey to take the air the Resident and Whitelocke had much
discourse touching the images in their church, and about the observation
of their Sabbath; wherein the Resident was furnished with the usual
arguments of the Papists, and was answered by Whitelocke, and was not so
positive as most of his persuasion use to be. He discoursed also about
the Dutch treaty in England, to get from Whitelocke what he could to
report to the Danish Ambassador and Dutch Resident; for which he was
fitted by Whitelocke's answers to him.
_April 23, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke punishes two of his retinue for neglect of the Lord's
Day.]
This being the Lord's Day, many gentlemen of the English and Scots nation
then in town came to Whitelocke's house to the morning sermon, and most
of them staid the afternoon sermon also. And so many strangers being
there attentive in the holy duties, it gave the greater cause of scandal
and offence to Whitelocke that divers of his own family were absent,
whereas, by his orders, they were all enjoined to a constant attendance,
especially at those religious exercises; nevertheless some of them
(particularly Mr. Castle and Andrew Potley) were therein more in fault
than others, and, after many admonitions, would not reform, but made it
their common practice almost every Lord's Day in the afternoon to be
absent, and to go abroad and take the air. Whitelocke considering the
reproach and scandal, and the ill example hereby to his family, and the
doing of that by some of them against which he had spoken so much here to
the people of this place, upon which it would be collected that either he
had not the power over his own people to order them as he judged fit, or
else that he and the rest of his company were dissemblers, and found
fault with that in others which they either acted or tolerated in
themselves;--Whitelocke finding two absent on this day, he gave order to
his steward to see their trunks and goods carried out of his house, and
themselves dismissed of further attendance on him, and removed from his
family. Yet afterwards, upon the interceding of others for them, and
their own submission, the punishment was suspended; and when they
perceived that Whitelocke was in earnest, it caused a reformation, both
in those two and in others, as to this duty and in other particulars.
[SN: The Queen returns to Upsal.]
About nine o'clock this evening the Queen came to town. She had in her
train but one coach with six horses, and three horsemen; so little
ceremony did she observe as to her own port, but would rather make this
sudden and private return than break her word with Whitelocke, whom in a
compliment she had promised to be here again within a few days; and she
kept her word honourably and constantly. But Whitelocke was sorry that
she continued her old custom, too frequent here, of travelling upon the
Lord's Day.
_April 24, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke pays his court to the Queen.]
Whitelocke waited on the Queen to give her the welcome home, and found
her lodgings changed, leaving the better rooms for the Prince. She
excused her long stay out of town, and said she would now have no more
delay in his business, but it should be forthwith despatched. Whitelocke
told her that the Chancellor and his son were not yet come to town, but
he humbly thanked her Majesty for the speed of her return. She assured
him that her Chancellor and his son would be in town the next day, and
that she should not have come to town so soon but for his business; that
the day after her Chancellor's coming the articles might be signed. She
likewise discoursed with him about the secret article, that in case those
here should not perform justly with her, that then the Protector should
not be bound by this treaty. Whitelocke told her that Woolfeldt and he
had conference about it, and had fully considered it, and were both of
opinion that it would be unfit for her Majesty to make such an article,
and it might turn to her prejudice; but Whitelocke said, that if she
pleased to write to the Protector, and to leave her letters with
Whitelocke to procure an answer from his Highness to her Majesty, whereby
his care for her good and assistance to her might appear, and the letter
to be fit to be shown, it might be of more advantage to her than such a
secret article, to which he was not empowered to assent, but it must be
remitted to the Protector; and whether he would consent to it in that way
or not, was doubtful; and when it should be known to those here, it would
be distasteful. Upon this the Queen seemed fully satisfied as to the
secret article to be laid aside and not more thought on.
Whitelocke advised her as formerly touching her liberty, and not long
continuing here after her resignation; and she thanked him for his
advice, and said, that in case those here should not deal justly with
her, she hoped she should find the Protector a friend to her, and that
she did put herself upon his nobleness and friendship. Whitelocke told
her, that the Protector was a great lover and maintainer of justice and
honour, and had a particular affection to her Majesty, which he believed
she would find him ready to manifest upon this or any other occasion, and
find him a true friend to her; wherewith (poor lady!) she seemed much
comforted, having brought her affairs to so low an ebb as this was, and
thus high was the Protector's reputation here. As to the general business
of the treaty with Whitelocke, she said it would be fit to have the
articles signed tomorrow, and that Whitelocke soon after should have his
audience, and she would give order to have it done accordingly.
She asked Whitelocke if he would bear her company to take the air, which
he did; and she riding a horse managed to the great saddle, who was
troublesome, she came into her coach, and caused Whitelocke to sit in the
same boot with her, that they might discourse the more privately. There
were also in her coach the Senator Rosenhau, Grave Tott, and Steinberg.
[SN: Whitelocke presents his black horses to the Queen,]
The Queen freely told Whitelocke that if he would not sell his horses, as
she understood he would not, that yet she should take it for a favour if
he would let her have one of his sets of coach-horses, which would do her
great service in her intended journey, they being fitter for travel than
any she had. Whitelocke told her they were all at her Majesty's service;
that he thought it not becoming him to sell them, but if she pleased to
accept them, she should freely have them; that he thought his black
horses fittest for her and best, and there were eight of them, and the
other set he intended to present unto the Prince{6}; that, she said,
would be very well, and she kindly thanked him and accepted of his
compliment.
[SN: some distilled waters,]
Whitelocke also told the Queen that he had a small cabinet of glasses of
spirits of waters, essences of excellent kinds, extracted; but he
believed that her Majesty did not much esteem such things, and they were
too inconsiderable to make a present of them to the Queen-mother, if she
had any liking of them. The Queen said her mother was much pleased with
such essences, and that she would send them to her from Whitelocke. He
asked when he should bring them, and an English Bible which he promised
to the Queen. She said, tomorrow if he pleased, and that at all times he
should be welcome to her.
_April 25, 1654._
Grave Eric sent his secretary to Whitelocke to inform him of his being
come to town purposely for the despatch of his business, and for the
signing of the articles; and he desired to know what time this afternoon
he might have the liberty to come and visit Whitelocke, after he had been
with the Queen. Whitelocke told the secretary that he should be glad to
see his lord after Whitelocke had likewise been at the Court; and there
they met.
Whitelocke went in to the Queen and presented her with the cabinet of
essences, which was of green velvet, lined with silver lace very richly;
within it were about twenty glasses of spirits of the rarest kinds, each
glass stopped with a silver head of English silver, to screw off and on,
and a lock and key of the same; and opening the cabinet the Queen smelt
of most of the glasses, but tasted none of them; she highly commended
them and the cabinet, especially the English silver, whereof she had some
discourse, and said she would send them to her mother, who would be very
glad of them.
[SN: and an English Bible;]
Then according to his promise he presented her Majesty with an English
Bible, of a very fair print and richly bound; and upon that they had this
discourse:--
_Whitelocke._ If your Majesty would be pleased to spend some time in
reading this Bible, and comparing it with those in other languages, it
would be a great help to your understanding of the English, if your
Majesty have any further thoughts thereof.
_Queen._ My desire still is to gain the English tongue, and I think this
which you mention will be a good way to learn it. I ask your pardon that
you staid so long before you came in to me; nobody told me of your being
without, and I am ashamed of this incivility.
_Wh._ The incivility, Madam, is on my side, by interrupting your greater
affairs; but I come not now as an ambassador, but as a particular servant
to bring this Bible to your Majesty.
_Qu._ It is a noble present, and there was the less reason to make you
stay for admittance with it.
[SN: and exhorts her Majesty to read it.]
_Wh._ This book was presented to me by an English doctor, with a letter
mentioning the text that the Beræans were accounted the more noble
because they received the word with gladness, as I hope your Majesty
will.
_Qu._ I receive it from you with much thankfulness, and shall gladly make
use of it as the best of books.
_Wh._ Your Majesty, by often reading it, and comparing it with other
Bibles, will not only thereby gain advantage as to the language, but the
highest comfort to your soul.
_Qu._ I have used to read much in the Bible, and take great contentment
in it.
_Wh._ Your Majesty will find more contentment and comfort in the study of
this book than of all other books whatsoever, and therefore I do humbly
recommend the often reading of it to your Majesty.
_Qu._ I doubt you have an ill opinion of me that you so earnestly
persuade me to this, as if you thought me too backward in it.
_Wh._ I only give my humble advice to your Majesty, out of my own
experience, of the great comfort, wisdom, and true pleasure which is to
be met with in this book, and nowhere else, and that all things out of it
are of no value.
_Qu._ I am full of the same opinion; but there are too many who have not
so venerable an opinion of it as they ought to have.
_Wh._ There are indeed, Madam, too many who mock at this book, and at God
himself, whose book it is; but these poor worms will one day know that
God will not be mocked, and that they and their reproaches will sadly
perish together; and I am glad to hear your Majesty's distaste of such
wicked ones.
_Qu._ Surely every good Christian ought to distaste such men and such
opinions.
They had much more discourse upon the same subject, wherein Whitelocke
spake the more, because he found the Queen more inclined to it now than
he had perceived her to be at other times.
Being come from the Queen, he spake with Grave Eric in another room,
whose opinion was that it would be fit to sign the articles on the
morrow, and said that his father would be returned time enough to do it.
Whitelocke doubted that, by reason of his weariness after his journey, it
might not be then convenient. Eric replied, that there would be nothing
to be done that would occasion trouble, the signing and putting the seals
to the articles already prepared and agreed on was all that was to be
done. Whitelocke demanded if the power given by the Queen to her
Commissioners were sealed. Eric said it was not, but that Canterstein
would be in town this evening, and would see all done.
_April 26, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke complains of further delays.]
Grave Eric came to Whitelocke's house, and this discourse passed between
them:--
_Whitelocke._ It seems to me somewhat strange that after all things
agreed between her Majesty's Commissioners and me, I should yet attend
three weeks to obtain one half-hour for the signing of the articles.
_Grave Eric._ The Queen's going out of town hath occasioned it, and the
great business touching her resignation, which hath so taken up all men's
thoughts and counsels, that there hath been hardly room left for any
other matter; and when the Queen goes away, those of the Council also
take the liberty to go into the country; and upon such extraordinary
changes as these are, it is no strange thing for public ministers to be
retarded; and the same thing hath been practised upon your changes in
England.
_Wh._ I have not observed, either in England or elsewhere, that after an
agreement upon a treaty, and nothing remaining but to sign and seal, that
they have used afterwards to delay it three weeks together; yet I am
willing to promise myself that the servant of the Protector may expect
from this Crown as much respect as any other public minister.
_Gr. Eric._ There hath been more respect showed to you than hath been
accustomed to any other. I believe your business may be despatched in
half an hour; and if my father return this evening time enough to do it,
it may be done this night; if not, then without fail tomorrow morning.
_Wh._ I am the more earnest herein, looking upon it as my duty to the
Protector and my respect to this Crown, to avoid any occasion of
discontent between the two nations; and therefore I shall freely tell you
that it will be very material to have the articles signed this day or
tomorrow, before I receive this week's letters, by which I expect to
understand that the articles between England and Holland are signed;
among which articles one is, that neither the one nor the other
confederate shall make any alliance with any other prince or state,
without first giving notice thereof to the other confederate. Now if the
articles between the Protector and the Queen be signed before I have
notice of this by the Dutch articles being signed, the signing of our
articles here first will be without exception in this point; but if I
receive this information from England before the articles be signed here,
it will be doubtful whether then I shall be in a capacity afterwards to
sign the articles here, whereupon sundry inconveniences will ensue, which
I would willingly prevent.
_Gr. Eric._ This is indeed a material point, and I am much startled at
it. I shall go and see if my father be come to town, that I may acquaint
him with it, and doubtless the business may be finished tomorrow.
_Wh._ What do you resolve to do in the matter I proposed touching Guinea?
_Gr. Eric._ The person concerned in that business is now in town; I shall
bring him to you to give you information therein, and upon speaking
together we may come to some conclusion in it. I think the best way will
be to prepare an article to this purpose, that all injuries done by the
one or the other party in the several plantations in Guinea, and the
satisfaction and damages to be given to the parties grieved, be upon the
whole matter remitted to the consideration and arbitrement of persons to
be chosen, as well by the company of English merchants trading to those
parts as of the merchants of this country having interest in the
plantations there.
_Wh._ I think this may be a good expedient for this business; and I shall
rather submit to it than depart from hence, without any agreement at all,
to have this matter, either now or at some other time, to be taken into
consideration; and therefore if you please to direct an article to be
drawn up to the effect proposed by yourself, and to send it to me to be
perused, I shall be willing to consent to any reasonable settlement of
this business; so as my countrymen, the English merchants interested in
that plantation, may have no cause to believe that I have neglected what
was specially recommended to me on their behalf, and that my superiors
may see my care in this as well as in other matters.
In the evening Monsieur Bloome sent word to Whitelocke that the
Chancellor was come to town, and that Canterstein was expected this
night.
Presently Whitelocke sent to the Chancellor to know how he did after his
journey, and when he might have the liberty to visit him. The Chancellor
answered that he was well, and purposed this evening or tomorrow morning
to go to the Queen, and afterwards he would send to Whitelocke to let him
know what time they might meet to finish his business. This seemed to
Whitelocke a little different from the ordinary rules of civility--that
when he sent to the Chancellor to know at what time he might come to
him, the Chancellor answered that his purpose was to go to the Queen;
but Whitelocke hoped that the intent was to receive her Majesty's
direction in his business.
_April 27, 1654._
[SN: Signing the articles again deferred till the morrow.]
Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke from the Chancellor to tell him that the
Chancellor was come to town purposely for the signing of the articles.
Whitelocke said he was much obliged to the Chancellor for so great a
favour, and that, after three weeks elapsed since the articles were
agreed, he might now hope it would be thought seasonable to confirm that
agreement with hand and seal. Lagerfeldt answered that it might be done
this day, and therefore he came to Whitelocke that his secretary might
meet with the Queen's secretary, and they together might examine the
books, which in the evening may be signed and sealed by both parties.
_Whitelocke._ Hath Monsieur Canterstein procured the Queen's patent to
authorize her Commissioners to conclude this treaty?
_Lagerfeldt._ It must be done before the signing of the articles, and
then you may have your audience when your Excellence pleaseth.
_Wh._ It were fit to have that done.
_Lag._ I know not whether the presents which her Majesty intends to make
to your Excellence and your company be yet ready; and I know the Queen
intends to express as much honour to you as she hath done to any
ambassador whatsoever.
_Wh._ I desire no greater honour than the despatch of my business, and
liberty to return home.
_Lag._ I shall serve your Excellence therein to the utmost of my power.
In the afternoon Whitelocke sent his son James and his secretary Earle,
and Swift, with the articles and papers touching his business, unto
Canterstein, where they examined them and corrected what was mistaken.
They asked at what hour Whitelocke might repair to the Chancellor for
signing the articles. Canterstein answered, that the Chancellor was weary
with his journey; but he went to him and brought word that, if Whitelocke
would come to the Chancellor about five or six o'clock this evening, he
would be ready to confer with him. This being reported to Whitelocke by
his son, he sent him back to Canterstein to know whether the Queen had
sealed the grant of power to her Commissioners, who brought word that it
was not done, and that the Queen went out of town this evening, and
returned not till tomorrow.
After this message, and when Whitelocke saw that his letters of this week
were not come, he sent to the Chancellor to let him know that he feared
it might be troublesome to him for Whitelocke to come to him this
evening, and that, if he pleased, Whitelocke would come to him the next
morning. To which the Chancellor willingly agreed, and appointed their
meeting tomorrow, betwixt eight and nine o'clock in the morning. The
Chancellor inquired whether Whitelocke had yet received his letters from
England. The servant of Whitelocke said that the letters were not yet
come, but that by the last week's letters the news came that the peace
between England and Holland was certainly concluded; to which the
Chancellor said, I desire to be excused.
By these passages Whitelocke perceived that their little design was,
notwithstanding all he had endeavoured, that before they would sign the
articles they desired to see this week's letters; which he took as
directed by the good hand of Providence, in regard that by this means he
should be the more excused in what he intended to do, having staid for
this week's letters and received none, and the politicians here would be
deceived in their expectation. He wondered at the Queen's going out of
town before she sealed the commission to her deputies: some thought the
reason to be, because her intended presents were not yet ready.
Whitelocke received a letter from the Protector's Resident at Hamburg,
wherein this was part:--
"_For his Excellence my Lord Ambassador Whitelocke, Extraordinary
Ambassador from England with the Queen of Sweden. Humbly these._
"The English letters are not yet come, but from Holland they write
that two expresses were come on the 21st instant, with letters
assuring that the peace was concluded and mutually signed, and that,
as soon as the ratification could arrive in England from the States
General, hostility should cease.
"I am, my Lord,
"With tender of my humble service,
"Your Excellence's most humble servant,
"RI. BRADSHAWE.
"_Hamburg, 15th April, 1654._"
Whitelocke made use of this intelligence as far as it would go; and some
others in this town had the same news from Holland.
_April 28, 1654._
[SN: The signing of the treaty.]
At the time appointed Whitelocke and his company came to the Chancellor's
lodging, with whom was his son Grave Eric and Secretary Canterstein.
Whitelocke's son James and his secretary Earle were admitted into the
room. All the time of their being there Secretary Canterstein was
uncovered and did not sit. Whitelocke's son James was also bare, as
became him, but was admitted to sit down at the lower end of the table,
on the same side with his father, who sat at the upper end, and the
Chancellor over-against him, and Grave Eric by his father.
The Chancellor acquainted Whitelocke that the Queen had shown the
articles to the Prince, who did well approve of them, and desired to have
a strict league and friendship with the Protector, and that the Prince
was ready in what should appertain to him to contribute to that end.
Whitelocke answered that the Protector would esteem the friendship of the
Prince a great honour to him; and to show his desire of it, that
Whitelocke intended to salute the Prince from the Protector. The
Chancellor and his son said that it would be very necessary for
Whitelocke to do so, and that the Prince intended to come nearer to this
city, and then Whitelocke might have the better passage to his Court by
water by the lake Meter, than to go to him by a land-journey; and that
from the Prince he might, by the same lake, be transported to Stockholm.
After many ceremonies and compliments, with apologies for the delay of
the sealing of the articles, they fell to their business. Grave Eric read
the articles prepared by Whitelocke, and his father overlooked them;
Whitelocke's son James read the articles prepared by the Chancellor, and
Whitelocke overlooked them; and some mistakes being amended, Whitelocke
asked whether the Queen's commission to give them power were sealed. They
answered, it was prepared, and that the Queen would seal it, and it was
usual to be done at any time after the sealing of the articles; that
yesterday it was not fully ready for the Queen before her going out of
town, but that she intended to be here again this day, and all would be
ready for her sealing.
The Chancellor directed Canterstein to read the copy of the instrument
for giving power to the Queen's Commissioners, and desired Whitelocke to
give to him the commission of the Protector to Whitelocke, who said that
he had formerly delivered to them a copy of it, which was then read; and
the Chancellor took exception to it, because there was no mention in it
of ratifying what should be here agreed upon by Whitelocke; who answered
that this clause of ratification was in his first commission under the
Great Seal of England, unto which the commission and powers given him
since by the Protector do refer; and he offered to deliver into their
hands that commission under the Great Seal. And if they should require
that Whitelocke might yet have a larger power, whereof he thought there
was no need, (they might perceive by the Protector's letters that he
would not scruple to give it,) Whitelocke said that he would take it upon
him, at his return to England, to procure it to be done; but he said he
could not leave with them the Protector's letters and instructions to
him, because part of them was secret.
The Chancellor said it was the custom to deliver the original letters of
power into the hands of the other party, that they might be registered in
the public acts of the Chancery, and that Whitelocke should receive their
commissions to carry with him into England; that if he would pass his
word that, at his return to England, he would procure new and larger
powers, and take care to send the letters of them hither from the
Protector, they should be satisfied therewith: which Whitelocke promised
to do, and desired that the Queen would ratify all that should be done
here before her resignation, and keep the ratification by her until the
Protector should seal letters of ratification on his part, and then they
might be exchanged and mutually delivered. The Chancellor consented
hereunto, and asked what seal the Protector used in these public
businesses. Whitelocke said he used his own seal. The Chancellor asked if
he did not use the seal of the Commonwealth, in regard that this league
was between the Queen and kingdom of Sweden and the Protector and
Commonwealth of England. Whitelocke said that the Protector might, if he
pleased, command the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed to the
letters of ratification, which he believed would be done if they desired
it; and that, by the same reason, it was fit that the letters of
ratification here should be under the Great Seal of Sweden.
The Chancellor said that in Sweden, when the Government was in the hands
of Commissioners, the King or Queen not being crowned, it was usual for
some chief men, of alliance to the deceased King, to make use of his
private seal, and of no other; that if this treaty were with the Poles
or Danes, or others, that being wanting in their letters which was in
Whitelocke's, he would not proceed any further with them until they
should procure a fuller power and commission; and he said he had been
present at many treaties which had been broken off upon a less defect
than appeared in Whitelocke's letters. But in regard their business was
with the Protector, whom the Queen and himself did so much honour and had
so great a confidence in him, and upon Whitelocke's promise to procure
such a power as they desired to be enlarged to him from the Protector,
the Chancellor said they were ready to confirm the articles with their
seals. Whitelocke took upon him what they desired, and then the
Chancellor and his son Eric sealed that part of the articles which
Whitelocke had prepared, and Whitelocke sealed the other part of the
articles which had been prepared by the Chancellor and his son Grave
Eric.[168]
The Queen's Commissioners insisted to have the date of these articles
11th of April, because then they were fully agreed, and the time after
was for engrossing and preparing them to be signed and sealed; and
Whitelocke did not oppose their desire herein.
Thus, after a long and intricate (it might be said vexatious)
transaction of this great affair for near five months together, all
bitter oppositions, cunning practices, and perplexed difficulties being
removed and overcome, through the goodness and assistance of the only
wise Counsellor, the Prince of Peace, it pleased Him to give a good issue
and happy success in the conducting of this treaty by him who accounts
his great labour and hazards in this transaction well bestowed, and
humbly prays that this treaty may prove to the honour of God, the
interest of the Protestant cause, and the good of both nations therein
concerned.
_April 29, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke's passport through Flanders.]
Though Whitelocke received no letters this week from England, yet he had
some from Hamburg and from Flanders, among which was one from Don
Piementelle full of civility and compliment, giving Whitelocke notice of
his safe arrival in Flanders, and advising him to take that way in his
return; and in it was a letter in Spanish from Piementelle to the Prince
of Mamines in Flanders, to be made use of by Whitelocke if he should have
occasion there, for the more safety and accommodation of his journey.
This letter Whitelocke caused to be translated:--
"Most excellent Sir,
"My Lord Whitelocke, the Lord Ambassador Extraordinary of England,
having finished his embassy in this Court, is resolved to return
through this province, having passed from Hamburg to Cologne, and
that he may go to Brussels with better security, he desires a
passport from your Highness to the Lord Archduke. I, having written
that it may be despatched, and added that it may be remitted to your
Excellence, do entreat you to order that the said despatch may be
delivered to the party whom the said Lord Ambassador shall send from
Cologne for it; and that, he passing through this town, his
Lordship, by his civil entertainment, may understand the favour your
Excellence doth afford me, I owing to this honourable person many
and singular respects, which I desire to manifest and acknowledge. I
am confident your Excellence will assist me herein, and will be
disposed to employ me in many services of yours in Madrid, whither I
am commanded to go, by order from my Lord the King, and shall begin
my journey within three or four days, by way of Brussels, where I
hope to find your Excellence's commands, which I assure you I shall
esteem in all places and obey with the highest punctuality. God
preserve your Excellence the many years of my desires.
"Your Excellence's greatest servant,
"ANT^O PIMENTEL."
In the letter which Whitelocke wrote to Thurloe, after an account of the
passages since his last, he wrote thus:--
[SN: Report of the signing of the treaty to Thurloe.]
"Having received no letters by the post yesterday from England, I
was contented to seal the articles of our treaty; for if but a few
days should be intermitted, they could not have been signed at all,
because upon Tuesday next the Ricksdag, or Parliament here, is
appointed to meet, and within two or three days after their meeting
the Queen intends to resign her Government, and it will be some time
after before the Prince be crowned. I shall have much to do to
despatch the necessary ceremonies here of my public audience, to
take my leave of the Queen, with the many visits I am to perform,
according to the custom to which I am to conform, in regard of the
honour of his Highness and our nation; for he who neglects these
ceremonies here is censured for a mechanic or a boor. I intend from
hence to go to the Prince of Sweden, to salute him from my Lord
Protector, as I am advised that the Prince expects and desires it.
From thence I purpose to go to Stockholm, where I am to take ship
for Lübeck; and from thence to Hamburg, where I shall attend his
Highness's further commands, or some ships to be sent for my
transport into England, which I earnestly entreat you to procure in
time.
"I hope, before my going from hence, to receive his Highness's
order, which I long since wrote for, concerning my return; but
however, my business being effected here, I presume I may, without
displeasure to his Highness, be upon my return homewards; the
rather, because upon the change which is shortly to be here my
commission will be at an end.
"The Queen intends, shortly after her resignation, to go to the Spa,
which I have cause to believe. In those parts they say the King of
the Romans will wait upon her, but that I doubt.
"Her Majesty hath showed extraordinary affection and respect to my
Lord Protector; so hath the Chancellor and his son Grave Eric, and
my Lord Lagerfeldt, etc."
[SN: Whitelocke's interview with the Queen after the signing of the
treaty.]
Whitelocke waited on the Queen, and gave her an account of the signing
and sealing of his articles; whereupon she said:--
_Queen._ I am glad that this business is done to your satisfaction.
_Whitelocke._ There remains only your Majesty's sealing your letters of
full power to your Commissioners who treated with me.
_Qu._ I sealed them this morning.
_Wh._ Then my humble suit is, that your Majesty would appoint a day for
my audience to take my leave.
_Qu._ This is Saturday, but if you desire it you may have it on Friday
next.
_Wh._ Would your Majesty's leisure permit to give me audience on Tuesday
or Wednesday next, they being no holidays?
_Qu._ The Assembly is to sit on Tuesday, and at their first meeting I
shall have a great deal of business with them, which will hinder me from
any other affairs.
_Wh._ I humbly pray your Majesty to appoint it as soon as your own
leisure will permit, for I shall have many businesses and ceremonies
after it to perform, before my going away.
_Qu._ On Monday next I will appoint a day; and touching the secret
article, about which I formerly discoursed with you, I have now altered
my opinion, and am resolved to follow the advice that you and Mr.
Woolfeldt have given me. I will write a letter under my own hand to the
Protector to the effect you advised, and deliver it to you to be
presented to him.
_Wh._ This will be much the better way.
_Qu._ I desire you to be careful of the letter; and before I seal it I
will show it to you for your advice in it.
_Wh._ Madam, I shall have a special care of it, and to procure an answer
of it from the Protector, I hope, to your Majesty's contentment, that you
may make use of it if there shall be occasion; and I believe the
Protector will be a firm friend to your Majesty.
_Qu._ I doubt it not, nor your respects to me.
_Wh._ I am engaged by your many favours to serve your Majesty with all
faithfulness.
_Qu._ I had some clothes in a ship coming hither, and the ship is taken,
and my clothes detained in England, so that I cannot get them to wear.
_Wh._ If your Majesty want clothes, I have a piece of English stuff at my
house, which cost two shillings a yard; and, if that were not too dear
for your Majesty's wearing, I would send it to you.
_Qu._ Two shillings a yard is dear enough for me: I pray send your stuff
hither, and I shall willingly accept of it, and thank you for it.
_Wh._ Will your Majesty be pleased on Monday next to go into England?
_Qu._ Hardly so soon; yet perhaps I may one day see England. But what is
your meaning in this?
_Wh._ Madam, Monday next is the first day of May, a great day in England;
we call it May-day, when the gentlemen use to wait upon their mistresses
abroad to bid the Spring welcome, and to have some collation or
entertainment for them. Now your Majesty being my mistress, if you will
do me the honour, that, after the custom of England, I may wait on you on
May-day, and have a little treatment for you after the manner of England;
this I call going into England, and shall take it as a very great favour
from your Majesty.
_Qu._ If this be your meaning of going into England, I shall be very
willing, as your mistress, to go with you on Monday next, and to see the
English mode.
Lagerfeldt and the master of the ceremonies dining with Whitelocke, he
inquired of them what was to be done by him as to presents to any of the
Queen's servants or officers who had done him respect in his business, or
being here, and what other things were requisite to be done by him,
according to the usage of ambassadors in this Court before their going
away, and when he might obtain his audience to take his leave. The master
of the ceremonies gave him good and chargeable instructions; and
Lagerfeldt agreed in most points with him, and, upon Whitelocke's
entreaty, undertook to see that the letters of full power to the Queen's
Commissioners, and the recredentials to Whitelocke, should be perfected
and brought to him, and a day of audience appointed.
Lagerfeldt told Whitelocke that the Queen was willing to present him with
some of this country's commodities, as copper, to carry with him into
England, if it would be as acceptable to him as other presents of
diamonds and the like; and he said he hoped there was no order of the
Commonwealth of England to forbid the receiving of such presents by their
public ministers. He said, that formerly he asked of Monsieur Chanut, the
French Ambassador here, if he would accept a present of copper, and he
willingly accepted it, and carried it with him, saying, that he rather
desired copper than diamonds or jewels, because he could better sell the
copper than jewels, and make money of it.
Whitelocke said, that whatsoever her Majesty pleased to bestow on him
should be welcome to him, and that he liked the commodities of this
country as well as those of the Indies, and that for Chanut's reason. He
said that the Protector had not forbid him to receive any testimonies of
the Queen's respect to him, as she used to do to all public ministers;
that the order of the Commonwealth forbidding gifts or presents to public
ministers was not now in force; that he thought her Majesty's bounty to
him, and his justification of the acceptance of it, might be the more
from such valuable presents as her Majesty had done him the honour to
receive from him, and his intention to bestow all his horses upon her,
and such as she would appoint, which, for the honour of the Commonwealth,
he would not sell.
_April 30, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke accepts a present of copper.]
Berkman and Monsieur Bloome dined with Whitelocke, and took occasion to
magnify the respects of the Chancellor and his son, Grave Eric, to the
Protector and to Whitelocke, who was not backward to join in those
eulogies, and to acknowledge the respects. Berkman said that Canterstein
was to bring some writings to Whitelocke, and that Lagerfeldt had spoken
to the Queen to present Whitelocke with some copper; that she had given
order for two hundred ship-pound of copper to be brought from the mines
to Stockholm, to be put aboard Whitelocke's ship, ready to be carried
away with him; that every ship-pound was here worth forty dollars, and
was as much as three hundred English pounds, which he cast up in the
whole to the value of about £2500 sterling. And Whitelocke was satisfied
in his own conscience that he might honourably receive it, having given
to the Queen as many presents already as were worth £1000, and engaged to
her his horses, which were worth about £2000 more, besides the gifts and
gratuities which he had liberally given, and intended to give, to the
Queen's servants and officers; and that, in recompense of above £3000
given away, he might well receive a present of the value of £2500.
Grave Leonhough visited Whitelocke, and had much discourse with him, not
so proper for this day.